Cupertino, California. Apple Inc. has officially recognized a software issue and other concerns related to popular apps, including Instagram and Uber, as the culprits behind the overheating problems reported by users of its recently launched iPhone 15 models.
In an announcement made on Saturday, the tech giant stated that it is diligently working on a forthcoming update to the iOS 17 operating system, which powers the iPhone 15 lineup. This update aims to rectify the excessive heat generation within the devices. Apple has also initiated discussions with app developers whose software has been identified as contributing to system overload.
Specifically, Instagram, owned by Meta Platforms, recently released an update to its social media app, designed to alleviate the heat issue experienced by users of the latest iPhone operating system. However, Uber and other applications, such as the popular video game Asphalt 9, are still in the process of implementing their updates, according to Apple. The company did not specify a precise timeline for the release of its own software fix but emphasized that there are no safety concerns preventing iPhone 15 owners from continuing to use their devices while awaiting the update.
“We have identified a few conditions which can cause the iPhone to run warmer than expected,” Apple stated in a brief response provided to The Associated Press, following numerous online reports of overheating complaints.
The Wall Street Journal further amplified these concerns by reporting overheating problems in its own testing of the new iPhone 15 models, which were released a week ago.
Apple clarified that while it is not uncommon for new iPhones to generate some heat during initial usage or when restoring data from cloud backups, the overheating issues with the iPhone 15 models have extended beyond these typical situations. The company firmly stated that the problem is unrelated to the sleek titanium casing of the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which replaced the stainless steel used in older models.
Apple also dismissed speculation that the overheating problem might be linked to its shift from the proprietary Lightning charging cable to the more universally adopted USB-C port, a move made to comply with European regulatory requirements.
Despite expressing confidence in resolving the overheating issue through forthcoming software updates, Apple faces the potential challenge of dampened sales for its flagship product. This comes at a time when the company has experienced three consecutive quarters of year-over-year declines in overall sales. iPhone sales, in particular, have decreased by a combined 4% over the past nine months, compared to the same period the previous year.
To bolster its sales, Apple recently increased the starting price for its top-of-the-line iPhone 15 Pro Max to $1,200, representing a $100, or 9%, hike from last year’s comparable model. These efforts are aimed at countering investor concerns, as the company’s market value has already seen a decline of over $300 billion since reaching the historic milestone of a $3 trillion market cap in late June.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
